Seismic prospecting



y 2, 1953 B. D; LEE 2,638,402

SEISMIC PROSPECTING Filed June 9, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG AMPLIFIER I08 AND /18 I30 /28 13C RECORDER I l6 PR/MAR/Vr RECORD SCANNER /8 [OE/V AM LI ,I/OF] [11F 12F 13F Li MIXER SECONDARY RECORD 22 zzvmvrox. BURTON 0. LEE

A TTORNEY Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFHQE SEISMIC PROSPECTING Burton D. Lee, Houston, Tex., assignor to The Texas Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware 2 Claims.

This invention is concerned with seismic prospecting and especially with reflection seismograph practice. It provides improvements to the end that records from a plurality of seismometers may be physically mixed for interpretation purposes with more accurate compensation of phase-time factors between traces.

In seismic prospecting, an explosive charge is fired at a shot point, and the resulting seismic or acoustic waves are picked up (usually after reflection from a formation interface in which marked change in the velocity of the wave occurs) by a plurality of seismometers spaced from each other in the neighborhood of the shot point in any one of a number of patterns. Each seismometer is connected through an amplifier to a recording means, and the response of each seismometer usually is indicated as a separate trace on a moving film in a camera by means of a galvanometer or the like, the net result being a graph of vibration amplitude against time.

To aid in interpretation of the graph or seismogram thus produced, it has been common, especially in reflection seismograph practice, to add the output of two or more individual seismometers either before or after amplification, the resulting sum being recorded as a single trace on the seismogram.

As indicated above, the seismometers or pickups may be spread on the area being explored in various patterns. In a common pattern, the pickups are spaced from each other in a straight line extending outwardly from the shot point and numbered consecutively away from the shot point. In such an arrangement, the outputs of the first and second pickups may be added to produce a first trace; the outputs of the second and third pickups to produce a second trace; the outputs of the third and fourth pickups to produce a third trace and so on. Similarly the outputs of the first three pickups may be added to produce one trace; the outputs of the second, third and fourth pickups may be added to produce another trace, and so forth. Still another possible arrangement is to add one half the amplitude of the output of the first pickup, the full amplitude of the output of the second pickup and one half the amplitude of the third pickup to produce a first trace, and so on, each trace being composed of the sum of the full amplitude of the output of a certain pickup plus half the amplitude of the outputs of the two immediately adjacent pickups. There are many other possible arrangements by which the outputs of the individual pickups or groups of pickups may be mixed, but all have the same objective, namely to produce a record on which recognition of the reflected waves is facilitated. The arrangements work well in cases where the time-phase diiferences between the outputs of the pickups to be added are small, but when such time-phase differences are great, the addition of waves does not aid in the recognition of the reflected waves, but on the contrary tends to obscure them. Thus, if the time-phase differences between the pickups employed to detect the reflected waves forming a given reflecting horizon are such that the trough of one wave is added into the peak of another wave, the two waves tend to cancel, and the record is obscured.

Under field conditions, it is dimcult to correct for a phase-time difference. The character of the underground is generally unknown, so it is impossible to predict accurately in advance just what the time-phase difference will be between seismometers. The use of variable phase changers in the output of the several pickups in the field is generally not practical because it is dinicult to predict in advance the proper setting of the several phase changers. Moreover, it is frequently desirable for interpretation purposes to produce an unmixed record, since actual unadjusted phase-time differences may be significant from an exploration standpoint.

In accordance with my invention, a record of wave forms from a plurality of seismometers or pickups is obtained by conventional methods, say as a plurality of traces side by side. The traces are then re-recorded in the laboratory with mixing and with accurate compensation of phase time difierences between traces, and employing separate amplification for the several traces that are combined, so that the efiect of a selected trace in the resultant may be emphasized as desired.

Thus, a plurality of currents are caused to vary as the original traces, the phase-time compensation therebetween is made (for example with an adjustable scanner), the currents are separately amplified, and then mixed to produce a resultant wave form which is produced for inspection.

During the re-recording operation, if desired, one or more of the currents may be reversed in phase, so that its peaks become valleys and tend to cancel out the peaks of other waves combined in the resultant.

At the beginning of the period during which seismic waves are created and received, the phase-time diiferences obtaining between spaced the production of a film ingwhich theseve'ral traces are recorded, as sometypesof"sound"film are recorded, as a jagged band, the height of the band at any given point correspqnding amplitude of the wave being picked up, Again, the original wave may be recorded on film as a band of uniform width, the transparency of the band varying lengthwise (i; e.- withtime) in: ac cordance withthe amplitude-of the-recorded" wave.- Inboth otthesemethods, the light: conductivity of thefilm varies lengthwise, andby inspection, peaks representing the same: reflectio rihorizon: maybe discovered. The film thus produced is then run through a scanner having slits which are adjustable along the length? of the film so: that the distances between the slits corresponding-to the several traces can be=ad+ justed for the -timwphasedifferences. Itlight is then thrownsimultaneously: through allthe: slits, and the film ismoved lengthwise, the light passing through eachslit'varies as the particular trace being scanned. Ifthislight-iscaused teimpinge on an individual photoelectric cell, the outputof this cell will vary asthe: original trace. These outputs areamplified: individually, and then combined." The combined outputs;

when-recorded, will give awaveiorm which is atrue sumof the original-traces= with compensation for time-phase difierence therebetween' andwith suchem-phasis of traces as may= be intro-- duced: in the individual amplifications:

Instead of employing light as a medium-forthecombination. of the traces, sound may- Iceem ployed; Thus each pickup maybe connected with anindividual engraving stylus of a phonograph record f-ormerthroughone or more conventionalamplifiers, so that the several styli engrav traces side by side on a record; This record may-then be played back irranother apparatus provided with pickup needles which can be adjusted with respectto position to compensate for the-timephasediiferences; then: combining the output of the several phonographpickups, a record canbe produced 'which is the sum" of the original traces; with the intro-'- duced comp'e'nsationion time-phase differences and the desired emphasis of I selected original traces; Y r I These andother-- aspects of my invention will be understood more tho-roughlyin the light of the following detailed description taken in conjuncthan with 'the'accompanying drawing in which Fig: 1 is aschematic drawing illustrating: one form of apparatus for the practice of theinventiqn; employing lightasjthe medium whereby the time-phase difference between several traces is compensated for Fig; 2 is a fragmentaryschematic-diagram il-' lustrating a modification of the apparatus of'Fie'. 1' for usewith a different type cffilm pan-d" Fig. 3 is=a fragmentary schematic diagram i1? lustrating the use of'sound' as the medium'where- Byseparately amplifying and 4 by compensation for time-phase differences between several traces is accomplished.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be observed that a plurality I0, I I, l2, it of vibration pickups or seismometers are placed in a line on the surface of the earth extending out from a shot point I4. seismic waves generated. at. the shot. point are reflected from a formation interface I5 below the surface of the ground, say an interface at which seismic velocities change greatly. Sound waves IOA, 1 IA, 12A, [3A are reflected from the horizon andgpick ed up by the respective seismometers. Currents varying in accordance with the variation ofthereceived waves are carried from the individual"seisrnometers to a multiple amplifier and recorder [G of conventional type from which a1 primary'record tll is formed. This record has a plurality of generally parallel traces IIJB, HE, 1213', I313 corresponding respectively to the seismic waves received at the seismometers. ficationillustrated in- Fig; l 'the trace's---are translucent ortransparent bands" having. a straight base but a'jagged uppermarein, thehei'g-ht of they bandatany point being the measureof" the armplitu-d'e of' the recorded waver Thus a peak N143; onvthe trace lllB corr-esponds' to peaks HG", I20 and I 3C respectively on the other traces The displacements-of the peaks from. each-other along the film represent phase-timeidiflerences t tween theseismometers; l Eitherat: the time the: primary record is formecfi oratalaterdate, for-example, in the laboratoryy theprimary-record is passed through an adjust ablescannen t8: Thisscanner is amaskalbng which the primary record travel lengthwisez The scanner is provided-with a number o-'win'-'-- dowsorslits I BD; HD, I 2D,- [3D spaced so-that= the-several traces pass respectively past theslits; The slits are adjustable laterally as indicated;

; so that their-:positionmay beadjust'ed te -curre spond ta matching peaksonthe-several traces; When this has been accomplished, light irorrra source #8 is passed through the juxtaposed him and scanner and issues on the other side,

varies asatherespective trace.

are connected to-a mixer and-recorder 2i, which produces a secondary record 22. This secondary record is made on a second photographic-film 1 t flves =synchronism with the-primary'rec- 0rd through the scanner, sothat the secondary record represents the sum of the traces on 'theprimary record, compensatedifonthe tim'e 'phase" di-fierencestherebetween.

In previous discussion it was indicated'thah phase timedifferences between original traces any instant."

It may be desirablejt'o reverse, agiventtiiacelinj. This can, be. a c m'. plishedby the reversing. switches MA, MB, MQ', ma interposed in' each case between the individj' the re-recording process.

ualamplifiers and the mixer:

desired: hedule ofznixing canbe eirr-f'f played; Thus air of the amplifier outputs'gca'n'i be mixed together-'orthe outputs or ampliflers In the modifilm is movedlongitudinally with respect to thescannerand the light passing through each slit The light passingthrough each slit falls respectively-on'a separate IUF and 1 IF may be mixed to produce one trace whil the outputs of amplifiers IZF and BF are mixed to produce a second trace, as shown by the double traces on the secondary record 22.

Fig. 2 illustrates certain modifications of the apparatus of Fig. 1. As in the former case, currents varying in accordance with received seismic waves are transmitted to an amplifier and recorder which products a film having traces A, 26A, 21A, 28A corresponding to the responses of the several pickups. These traces are bands of uniform width, and the variations in wav amplitude are recorded as variations in transparency or translucency of the band. Thus peaks 25B, 26B, 21B, 28B corresponding to each other and representative of a single reflecting horizon (but displaced from each other by phase-time differences due to the geometry of the field pattern of the pickups) are recorded as lighter bands on the traces. As in the previous case, a scanner l8 provided with adjustable slits 25C, 26C, 21C, 280 is employed. The slits are adjusted lengthwise of the film to correspond to the position of th several matching peaks. Light from the source l9 passes through film and slit into a series of light proof boxes 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D, each of which has a photocell 30A, 30B, 30C, 301). The individual photo cells are in turn connected to the input of individual amplifiers 31A, 31B, 3lC, MD, and the output of the amplifiers goes to a recording camera 32 (containing mixing equipment) through which a film 33 is passed in synchronization with the passage of the primary film I! through the scanner. Thus a trace 34 is produced on a secondary record or film representative of the sum of the individua1 traces on the primary record.

If desired, the amplification factors of the several amplifiers between the photo cells and the camera 32 may be adjusted. For example, it may be desirable to add only half the amplitude of three of the traces and the full amplitude of another trace. This is easily accomplished by adjusting the amplification factors so that one or more of the original traces is emphasized.

Referring to Fig. 3 there is a primary amplifier and recorder which receives impulses from four pickups. The output of each pickup is amplified by a separate amplifying unit 46A, lfiB, 40C, MD. The output of each amplifier unit is sent to an engraving stylus MA, MB, MC, MD, operating simultaneously on a circular phonograph record 42. Thus grooves 53A, 43B, 43C, 43D which vary in accordance with the waves received by the respective pickups, are formed on the record. At the time the primary record 42 is formed, or preferably later in the laboratory, the primary record is played back through a phonograph provided with multiple pickups MA, MB, MC, MD. These pickups are hinged to a single manifold arm 45 and their pickup needles 46A, 46B, MC, 46D may be moved along the individual pickups to accomplish the same compensation that is obtained with the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2. The four phonograph pickups are connected through individual amplifiers MA, MB, 41C, 41D and the output of these amplifiers is combined to give a single current. This current is sent to a recording camera 48 which produces a film 49 representative of the secondary record and provided with a single trace 5!] which is a combination of the responses of the several seismometers with appropriate compensation for phase-time differences.

By altering the amplification factors of either 6 the primary amplifiers 40A, 40B, 48C, MD or the secondary amplifiers 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, any particular trace or traces may be emphasized in the secondary record.

A variety of linkages may be employed to compensate for the phase-time differences between the traces on the original record. Whatever linkage be employed, the result is outstanding, since it permits record mixing as an aid to interpretation in the laboratory under controlled conditions, rather than in the field at the time the primary record is taken and when phase-time differences between seismometer points is known, if at all, only roughly.

The invention ofiers marked aid in interpretation of seismic records, particularly those obtained in reflection seismic prospecting.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for investigating at least three traces of seismic waves originally recorded side by side with phase-time differences therebetween and originating from a single seismic disturbance but picked up at different points spaced from each other, the combination which comprises individual scanning means on the individual traces adjustable lengthwise along the traces with respect to each other to compensate for phase-time differences between traces, individual pickups operatively associated respectively with the individual scanning means for producing currents that vary as the original traces, individual amplifiers connected respectively to the outputs of the individual pickups, means for combining the outputs of one set of at least two of the amplifiers, means for combining the outputs of a different set of at least two of the amplifiers, means for reversing the phase of the output of one of the amplifiers to be combined, and means for recording the wave forms of the respective combined outputs as traces disposed side by side on a record and means for changing the relative positions of at least one of the scanning means lengthwise of its trace during the recording of the combined outputs to compensate for a change in the phasetime diiference between said trace and another of the traces during said interval.

2. In seismic exploration involving the simultaneous recording of at least three traces representing respectively the forms of seismic waves originating in the same seismic disturbance but picked up at points spaced from each other, there being variable phase-time differences between the traces, the improvement which comprises producing electrical currents which vary respectively in accordance with the variations of the original traces, combining one set of at least two of the currents while variably compensating for the variable phase-time difference existing between the traces to which the currents correspond, combining a different set of at least two of the currents while variably compensating for the variable phase-time difference existing between the traces to which these currents correspond, reversing the phase of at least one of the currents prior to combination and recording the wave forms of the respective combined currents.

BURTON D. LEE.

(References on following page) was-m2:

7? Referenes. Cited in, thevfilel *oljhismatent Numbers. Mama; Dam.

Number Name t 2,420,672; maiuen uwmmw May: 20.1947? ,950, svc b- -M M r 1 3 Z 427-"4,2] me lg m;15 194g" 

